Jungle Edge led from start to finish to win the 2017 Star Kingdom Stakes at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon.

Jungle Edge led from start to finish to take out the 2017 Star Kingdom Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart

Jungle Edge was on the quick back-up following his gallant third behind Russian Revolution and Redzel in the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) and veteran hoop Kevin Forrester wasted no time taking up the running in the early stages of the race.

Forrester went for home on Jungle Edge coming into the straight and he never looked like being caught, with the son of Dubawi holding off Dal Cielo and Impending to record a comfortable victory.

Trainer Mick Bell’s wife passed away only seven weeks ago and Bell was clearly emotional that he had recorded the biggest win of his training career to date without his wife by his side.

“I did have an angel on my shoulder,” Bell said.

“He is a great horse.

“He is like a bloke that can go into a pub anywhere and say that he will fight anyone on the bar.

“He just gives it every time.

“People want to think that he is just a wet-tracker and they can think that, but he is not just a wet-tracker.

“Life is a funny thing.

“I wish Bev was here, but all the support I have had from everybody has been touching.

“I would like to thank everyone that has given me support over the last couple of months and dreams do come true sometimes.”

The bookies got all the money when The Mission took out the opening race, but the Star Kingdom Stakes was an absolute fill-up for the punters.

Jungle Edge was available at odds of $15 when the Star Kingdom Stakes all-in market was opened at the start of the week and he was $11 when the final field was released, but he ended up starting as a dominant $2.80 favourite.

Dal Cielo returned to a semblance of his best form with a second place finish, while Impending made up plenty of ground from the tail of the field for third.